Dale Watson, ‘David Buxkemper’ [Exclusive Premiere]

Country and rockabilly stalwart Dale Watson often takes inspiration for his songs from the lives of real people and interactions he has with his fans. Such is the case in "David Buxkemper," one of the songs off of his upcoming new studio album, Call Me Lucky. Ahead of the project's release, Watson is premiering the track exclusively for readers of The Boot; press play below to listen.

Watson says that he first got acquainted with the real-life David Buxkemper over email, when Buxkemper told him he'd become a fan after seeing Watson on tour with the Reverend Horton Heat. Buxkemper, a fellow Texan, was a trucking farmer ("or maybe a farmin' trucker ... it all depends on the time of year," Watson adds) and had been getting to know Watson's music through his trucking albums.

"Him and his granddad would watch Hee Haw, and loved listening to truckin' songs as they were doing their farming," Watson explains. "So I wrote back and asked him to expound a little bit, because he had inspired me to write a song."

Buxkemper did not disappoint. "He ended up telling me that he was an illegal truck driver two days out of the year. He kinda has to sneak his crop out twice a year, because he doesn't have the license for it," Watson adds with a laugh. "So I thought it was a great story, and with a name like that -- David Buxkemper?! You can't make that up."

Since he wrote the song, Watson has had a chance to get to know Buxkemper a little better, as well as get feedback from him on the song. In fact, he even got to meet the fan in person while touring not too far away from Buxkemper's West Texas farm.

"I stopped and had a meal with him. It was the first time I met him," Watson goes on to say, adding that he was happy to learn that Buxkemper liked the song. "He's ticked about it. And, actually, he was able to see it in YouTube videos before he even heard the song on a record.

"He's a local celebrity," adds Watson.

Call Me Lucky is due out on Feb. 15. In the meantime, Watson has an extensive tour planned, including a special appearance as part of the Outlaw Country Cruise, where he will be joined by Margo Price, Lucinda Williams and more.